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Innosuisse Annual Magazine 2020

The year 2020 in brief

January

CES 2020 in Las Vegas

Innosuisse is partnering with Presence Switzerland at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for the second time. 12 Swiss start-ups have the opportunity to make valuable contacts at the world’s largest trade fair for consumer electronics.

Swissbau Innovation Lab in Basel

Innosuisse is the main partner of the Swissbau Innovation Lab within the framework of Swissbau 2020. The platform for digital transformation makes it possible to experience the opportunities offered by new technologies in the construction and real estate industry.

February

11 start-ups included in the second phase of scale-up coaching

The first Swiss start-ups admitted must reach their milestones in the next two years in order to achieve the growth targets. These start-ups include Flyability, Dolfinos and Aspivix.

Kick-offs of the venture start-up competition in Zurich and Lausanne

As a founding member, Innosuisse is the main partner and co-organiser of the venture start-up competition. More than 300 start-ups submit their business cases, winners in five themes are chosen.

March

Lockdown in Switzerland...

April

Coronavirus-related changes to innovation projects

Innosuisse decides to take pragmatic measures so that innovation projects can continue during the pandemic as far as possible without any interruption. 550 applications for coronavirus-related changes to innovation projects are submitted. 547 changes are approved.

Training, coaching and mentoring are being offered virtually

May

Liquidity support for start-ups now live

The cantons can draw on a panel of experts coordinated by Innosuisse for assessment of the start-ups. By the submission deadline of 31 August, it issues 122 assessments on start-ups. By the end of the year, they grant 359 loans with a total volume of almost 99 million Swiss francs to start-ups.

Innovative protective mask concept

Innosuisse approves ReMask project from Empa, ETH Zurich, EPF Lausanne and the Spiez Laboratory with around 2 million Swiss francs for developing innovative mask concepts for efficient protection against viruses as well as technologies for reusing the protective materials (see From 0 to 100: Mask production in Switzerland).

June

Federal Council confirms Innosuisse Board of Directors

The Federal Council re-elects André Kudelski as President and all the current members of the Board of Directors of Innosuisse for the term of office from 2021 to 2024.

RIPA revision: Innosuisse given more room for manoeuvre

The Federal Council welcomes the draft for the partial revision of the Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation. Innosuisse is to be given more leeway – in clearly defined areas – to fulfil its funding tasks.

First webinar

Innosuisse holds the first webinar – “Starting innovation projects successfully with Innosuisse” – in French-speaking Switzerland with 86 participants.

July

Stable application intake despite the coronavirus crisis

Many Swiss companies and research institutions have continued to focus on innovation even during the coronavirus crisis. In the first six months of 2020, Innosuisse supports 208 innovation projects with a total funding amount of 63 million Swiss francs.

12 NTN Innovation Boosters approved

The Innovation Boosters bring together the key players from science, industry and society in Switzerland in promising innovation areas such as blockchain, the circular economy, additive manufacturing and energy. In an open innovation culture, they allow jointly developed, concrete innovation ideas to be tested.

August

New to the EB: Barbla Plattner and Gérald Walti

As Head of Talent and Organisational Development and Head of Finance and Operations, they complete Innosuisse’s six-member Executive Board (EB).

AAL call

With 46 project applications, Innosuisse as part of a call receives more applications than ever before in the area of higher quality of life for the elderly. 11 projects are supported.

September

Virtual plenum

For the first time, the annual Innosuisse plenary session is held virtually due to Covid-19, including the networking area and project exhibition.

However, the Swiss Economic Forum (Montreux) and the Swiss Medtech Day (Bern) takes place live.

Innosuisse Guide launched

Find the right support offer in just a few steps: innosuisse.guide

Eurostars call

Record number: 108 project applications with Swiss participation have been received by 62 projects are supported (see An entire laboratory in a single cartridge).

October

Virtual implementation of Bio Europe

Bio Europe is Europe’s largest platform for companies from the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors to meet and forge partnerships. Innosuisse allows 12 start-ups to take part.

Second webinar

Due to the positive feedback and the great interest, the July webinar is repeated in October.

November

Announcement of the “Swiss Innovation Power” impulse programme

The Federal Council decides to launch the impulse programme through Innosuisse. By easing financial conditions for project funding, companies will be able to maintain their innovative strength during the pandemic and ensure they remain competitive over the long term.

Virtually in contact with our funding clients

Tour de Suisse with the SNSF, Swiss Innovation Forum, webinar in German-speaking Switzerland PME Forum Forward (Virtual), Partner of the Swiss Digital Days

December

Energy funding programme comes to an end

The second period of the energy funding programme is coming to an end. Between 2017 and 2020, an average of 1,350 researchers per year were engaged in SCCER and joint activities (JA). During the eight years, the SCCERs have initiated over 1,400 projects, created 41 spin-offs, installed around 330 prototypes as well as pilot and demonstration equipment, and filed 120 patents.

2021: NTN Innovation Booster and Networking Event Series begins

The focus of the two previous funding instruments, National Thematic Networks NTN and themed specialist events TFV, is being changed.